Francie (Moore) Hansell

On September 13, 2018, Francie Moore Hansell was called back to heaven. She was an angel on this earth, helping to make our world a better place.  Francie was born on May 21, 1948, in Prosser, Washington, to Frances and Lois Moore.  She was gifted with many angelic qualities including beauty, kindness, wisdom, and a soaring soprano voice.

Francie graduated from Prosser High School in 1966. She attended Western Washington College and then transferred to Washington State University where she met Tyler Sherman Hansell who was her partner until his untimely death in 2008. On June 6, 1970, they married at the Presbyterian Church in Prosser, Washington.  Francie and Ty then moved to Hermiston, Oregon, where Ty worked for his family's hog farm and ranch, Hansell Brothers.

Francie began teaching in Umatilla and moved to Rocky Heights in Hermiston. She retired in 2011 after teaching for 30 years. Francie found great joy in teaching, in the children and their families, and she cherished the friendships she made with her many colleagues.

While teaching was her calling, Francie's first love was her family. She was devoted to her parents, sisters (Mary Jane Hovis and Jill Ponti), and to her extended Prosser family.  Francie and Ty made their own family that included daughter Erin Hansell-Heideman (husband Deacon) and sons Tyler ("TJ") Hansell (wife Sally), McKenzie Hansell (wife Emily) and Lucas Hansell. They later added son Ruben Blair to make a full family of seven. Francie and Ty were frequent fixtures on the sidelines and bleachers at countless ball games and FFA events. While Ty always had words of wisdom to share with each child after every game, Francie was quick with a big hug and the comment, "you look great in your uniform." She was the reliable caboose, bringing along supplies and endless words of encouragement and comfort.

Later in life, Francie's greatest joy came from her nine beloved grandchildren to whom she was called "Nani": Jacob, Liam, Hunter, Charlotte, Gage, Tyler, Eloise, Anna and Cora. She was constantly driving from one event to the next, determined not to miss key events in her children's and grandchildren's lives, and to provide respite for her children when they needed help.

Francie was always Moore/Bastien-family proud, Prosser proud, WSU proud, Rocky proud, Hermiston proud, and Hansell proud.  Francie and Ty taught their kids the WSU fight song at an early age, and Francie was typically the only person who could reliably sing all of the Sigma Chi fraternity songs by heart.

Francie attended the Faith Presbyterian Church in Hermiston and she had a deep, unwavering faith in God. This faith was a source of her strength while she endured eighteen months of treatment for leukemia that included chemotherapy and two bone marrow transplants. Most of these eighteen months were spent in Seattle and all of it was accompanied by her youngest son, Lucas, who was her constant care companion throughout. His love, patience and devotion to his mother was a tremendous and wonderful gift.

Francie always practiced kindness first and had a vast capacity to love. She had many friendships that she carefully fostered. Her family, career, and multitude of friends are the fruits of her angelic nature and life well-lived. She was a member of many local social groups for over 30 years, including the International Sisterhood P.E.O., Chapter CV; No Name Book Club; Bridge Club; Dinner Birthday Group. Her friends will miss her and her thoughtful and joyful participation in these groups.

A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 6, 2018, at Faith Presbyterian Church.

Donations in Francie Hansell's honor may be made to Faith Presbyterian Church, Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation, and P.E.O. Chapter CV Foundation Fund.

Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements.

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